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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

W. VOSBURGH. AUTOMATIC STOCK WATERING TROUGH.

No. 546,793. Patented se t. 2 4, 1895.

(No Model'.) '2 slim -sheen 2.

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No. 546,793. Patented Sept. 24, 1895.

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WILLIAM VOSBURGH, OF DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO M. M. FERGUSON, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC STOCK-WATERING TROUGH.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,793, dated September 24, 1895. Application filed January 19, 1895. Serial No. 535,443. (No model.)

To all whom it may camera.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM VOSBURGH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Des Moiues, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented an Improvement in Automatic Stock -Watering Troughs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce an automatically-operating valve for stock- Watering troughs adapted to maintain the water in the trough at any certain predetermined height, said valve to be of simple, cheap, and durable construction and readily accessible for repair or replacement at all times.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction of the valve and in the arrangement and combination therewith of the various other parts of the device, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a watering-trough and supply-tank with myimproved valve applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same. Fig. 3 shows one of the drinking-cups detached. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of drinking-trough supplied by a pipe. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view showing a drinkingtrough supplied from a distant tank and having a number of drinking-cups connected therewith. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the end of the valve. Fig. 7 is a top view showing the arrangement of the drinking-cups to be connected with the drinking-trough.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the reference-letter A is used to indicate a watering-trough, which may be of any desirable size and shape. It is provided with a vertical transverse partition A near its one end, having an opening A therein of a size large enough to admit a persons hand, and a guard A is secured to the top of the trough to prevent animals from getting into the trough and at the same time permitting them to drink freely from the trough.

13 indicates a water-containing tank, which may be of any desirable size and shape, resting on top of the tank A, above the open end thereof, and hinged thereto at one side. A straight bore 0 is formed in its bottom above This block D is adapted to be secured to the under side of the water-tank B, with the opening in the washer D coinciding with the bore 0 in the bottom of the tank. This block may be secured by nails or any common way, and it will be obvious that it may be quickly and easily applied to a water tank or barrel and the Washer or valve-seat firmly held in place.

F indicates a float placed in the end of the watering-trough between the partition A and the end and is of a size and shape adapted to nearly engage all sides of the trough, so that it may rise and fall with the water in an approximately vertical plane. It is preferably composed of a cork base with a wooden top piece F to strengthen the float and keep the cork from warping.

The valve proper consists of a straight upright H, secured to the central portion of the float and havinga rounded and tapered top H preferably covered with rubber H adapted to enter the opening in the block D and close the opening in the valve-seat, thus shutting off the flow of water from the supply-tank to the trough when the float is raised. The rounded valve engages the valve-seat tightly if at an angle relative to the valve-seat.

H indicates a drinking-cup having a screwthreaded pipe projecting from one side adapting it to be screwed into the side of a trough. In the modified form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the containing tank is located at a point distant from the watering-trough, and has a top piece J to which the block D, carrying the In practical use it will be obvious that the parts are all simple, cheap, and easily made without expensive machinery, and that they may be quickiy applied to a Watering-trough and supply-tank. lhe Water Will first be permitted to flo freely through the opening in the bottom of the supply-tank, and as the water rises in said trough the valve will be forced in said openingin the block and against the rubber valve-seat and the supply cut off.

Access may be easily had to the valve-seat and valve by tilting the supply tank or trough, which may easily be rinsed when in said position.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefor is- In an automatic stock watering trough, the combination with a suitable trough, of a top piece on said trough having a round opening communicating with a source of water supply, a block having an opening with inclined sides, secured to the under side of the top piece, a flexible Washer mounted in the top of said block and having a central opening above the opening in the block, a vertically movable float in the tank, an upright secured to the float, and having an approximately spherical top with a central tapered projection, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM VOSBURGII.

Witnesses:

J. RALPH Oawro, THOMAS G. Omvre, 

